Nationwide Tour - Rex Hospital Open - 31st May-3rd June 12

[jimmywomble]

Hi all

The Nationwide Tour heads to North Carolina and the Rex Hospital Open from the TPC Wakefield Plantation. Winner last year was Kyle Thompson who also won in 07, John Riegger won a rain shortened event in 2010.

A few make my shortlist, although the first two not necessarily because they have great form here. Losing a playoff two weeks ago was Aussie Cameron Percy, what was worse was the fact his opponent had a lucky ricochet off a cameraman on his approach to the green. Well at least he gets to go home and sulk as the course is less than a mile away from his home, I guess that counts as local. He was also 2nd in the opener in Panama, and 55th, 30th & 26th in the events leading up to the playoff loss 2 weeks ago. Here he has played twice & missed the cut in 08 but was 7th in 09.

The other local lad lives a little further away but still only an hour or so away and that’s the leading winner on this tour Darron Stiles. Played here 6 times in the last 8 years and only has a best of 14th in 2004, although has made the cut all 6 times, 29th last year. Has never shot anything over a two over 73 here and averages a tounch under 70 at 69.91. Was 3rd last time out at the BMW, although mixed form with MC, 11th, MC, 5th before that.

With two wins here Kyle Thompson likes the course and was also 7th in 2004. However did miss the cut in 2009 & 10. Is having an awful season on the main tour though with 10 missed cuts from 11, the other event he withdrew in. Think I will avoid then.

Seeming to play this event every other year is Scott Gutschewski as he gains his card in every odd year, but is back on this tour in an event year. Not great here in 2010 with 42nd, but won in 08, 5th in 06 & 7th in 04, and never shot over par in those rounds. Having a poor season though with just two cuts made, a 66th & 32nd. Again I will avoid.

Final thought then is in a bit better form and that’s BJ Staten, but actually not a lot. Missed the cut last time and 34th & 18th before that isn’t great, did have a top 10 in Panama though early on. Record here is ok as well making the cut in the last 4 years and was 3rd in 2010, and no worse than 38th on debut in 08, 15th last year.

Really though there is only one for me and that’s Cameron Percy and I think the 30-1 with Bet365 is great value. Local so probably plays the course regularly, in form losing the last event in a playoff.


Cheers

Jimmy
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